Scholarships That Help Students Thrive

In 2026, Blue Pearls Enrichment Foundation, Inc. awarded $10,500 in scholarships to five recipients.

Thank you to the donors and supporters who helped make these awards possible.

The 2026 scholarship application cycle is closed. Please check back for future application announcements.

Meet Our 2026 Scholars

Meet the five students awarded BPEFI scholarships in 2026. The college and field-of-study information below reflects their plans at the time of the award.

Nandi Guy, 2026 BPEFI scholarship recipient.
Brianna Coleman, 2026 BPEFI scholarship recipient.
Amira Dade, 2026 BPEFI scholarship recipient.
Kenneth Washington, 2026 BPEFI scholarship recipient.
Brandon Anderson, 2026 BPEFI scholarship recipient.

Nandi Guy

2026 Janice Gantt Kissner Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Nandi’s college plans at the time of the award were to study mechanical engineering at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Her high school was Morgan Park High School in Chicago.

Brianna Coleman

2026 Karen Lynne Harris Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Brianna’s college plans at the time of the award were to study business administration/marketing at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. Her high school was Southland College Preparatory in Richton Park, Illinois.

Kenneth Washington

2026 Crystal Ward-Ross Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Kenneth’s college plans at the time of the award were to study political science at Loyola University Chicago. Kenneth’s high school was Lockport Township High School in Lockport, Illinois.

Amira Dade

Amira’s college plans at the time of the award were to study psychology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her high school was Whitney M. Young High School in Chicago.

Brandon Anderson

2026 Crystal Ward-Ross Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Brandon’s college plans at the time of the award were to study journalism at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Brandon’s high school was Jones College Prep in Chicago.

About Our Academic Scholarships

Blue Pearls Enrichment Foundation (BPEFI) Scholarships support educational programs in the Chicago Metropolitan area on behalf of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Zeta Chapter Dolton, Illinois. BPEFI scholarships are awarded to High School Seniors annually who enroll in accredited two or four-year colleges or universities and are matriculating toward earning a degree.

Application Status: The 2026 scholarship application cycle is closed, and recipients have been selected. Please check back for future application dates and requirements.

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JANICE GANTT KISSNER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Janice Gantt Kissner Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of her service to the community and sisterhood. 

Janice G Kissner began her Zeta journey at Cheyney University in Fall of 1965 and nine years later became the 17th International President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated serving from 1974-1980. She held a Graduate Degree from Penn State University and a Honorary Doctorate from Morris Brown College. It was during her administration that Zeta’s national slogan, “A Community Conscious, Action Oriented Organization” was adopted.  

By profession, Janice G Kissner was the Director of Community Services for the March of Dimes on the East Coast before relocating to the Midwest to continue her sharing and caring principles. In 1986, Jan, affectionately known as “Grand Jan” relocated to the Chicagoland area and worked alongside like-minded Sorors to re-charter the very prestigious Zeta Zeta Graduate Chapter in Dolton, Illinois on October 3, 1987.

Janice Gantt Kissner was a Charter Member of Zeta Zeta Graduate Chapter, Dolton, Illinois and remained a faithful member throughout her lifetime.

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KAREN LYNNE HARRIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Karen Lynne Harris Memorial Scholarship was established in 1999 in memory of her service to the community and sisterhood.  Karen was initiated as a member of the sorority on April 16, 1977. She was a charter member of Zeta Zeta and held various positions in the chapter. She served multiple terms as the chapter’s Treasurer and was the chapter’s first Historian. Karen possessed a strong financial background, was very analytical and extremely good with money management and developing budgets. Karen majored in Business Administration and attended Illinois State University.

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JYNETTA THORNTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Jynetta Thornton Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 in memory of her service to the community and sisterhood.   Jynetta was a dedicated member of Zeta Zeta Chapter since joining the organization in 1997. She held various positions in the chapter and served four years as the chapter’s Scholarship Chair. Jynetta loved children, was passionate about Scholarship and worked hard to ensure every event was successful. Jynetta attended Virginia Union University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She later attended Governors State University and earned a Master of Science Degree, also in Education.

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CRYSTAL K. WARD-ROSS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Crystal Ward-Ross Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008 in memory of her service to the community and sisterhood. Crystal was an active and staunch supporter of education. She promoted education to any young person she met through various community service projects and activities that the sorority held annually. She also gave generously of her time and finances to assist those young people who needed assistance to begin, continue or complete their education. Crystal received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rush University and her Master of Science, Nursing from Governors State University.

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2025 Scholarship Recipients

  • Kailey Sherley, 2025 BPEFI Scholarship Recipient.

    Kailey Sherley

    Louisiana State University

    Crystal Ward-Ross Memorial Scholarship

  • Kennedy Joe, 2025 BPEFI Scholarship Recipient.

    Kennedy Joe

    Illinois State University

    Karen Lynne Harris Memorial Scholarship

  • Tamiah Spraggins, 2025 BPEFI Scholarship Recipient.

    Tamiah Spraggins

    University of Houston

    Karen Lynne Harris Memorial Scholarship

  • Austin Rhyal, 2025 BPEFI Scholarship Recipient.

    Austin Rhyal

    University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

    Crystal Ward-Ross Memorial Scholarship

2024 Scholarship Recipients

  • Tamaya McNeal, 2024 BPEFI Scholarship Recipient.

    Tamaya McNeal

    Loyola University of Chicago

    Crystal Ward-Ross Memorial Scholarship

  • Mya Jackson, 2024 BPEFI Scholarship Recipient.

    Mya Jackson

    Howard University

    Karen Lynne Harris Memorial Scholarship

  • Taylor Warren,  2024 BPEFI Scholarship Recipient.

    Taylor Warren

    North Carolina A&T State University

    Karen Lynne Harris Memorial Scholarship

  • Trinity Elise Watts,  2024 BPEFI Scholarship Recipient.

    Trinity Elise Watts

    Olivet Nazarene University

    Karen Lynne Harris Memorial Scholarship